Removable handle system for cookware

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a removable handle system for cookware comprising: a spring attachment device mounted upon a cooking vessel; a mechanism to attach the spring attachment device onto the cooking vessel; a pin extending from the spring attachment device; a removable handle, where said removable handle includes an adjoining butt, said adjoining butt capable of firmly engaging with the spring attachment device; and an opening on the adjoining butt to receive the pin. In one exemplary embodiment, the spring attachment device includes sliding tracks, where said sliding tracks engage with the adjoining butt.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a system of removable handles utilized on cookware.

2. Description of Related Art

Cookware involves food preparation containers that are used in a kitchen. Cookware primarily involves cooking vessels such as saucepans, frying pans, pots and skillets that are intended for use on a stove or a range cooktop. Cookware is made of various metals and especially metals that are conducive for the transfer or thermal conductivity of heat. Many pots and pans are made of aluminum, copper, cast iron, stainless steel or carbon steel. Standard cookware includes the vessel itself that is used for food preparation and placement onto a stovetop and at least one handle that extends from the vessel that allows the user to maneuver the cookware on and off the stovetop. Many devices have been developed in order to store cookware where cookware may be hung from a rack or placed onto a rack in or under a kitchen cabinet. If a specific rack or storage device is in use to store cookware many times it becomes quite cumbersome and an inefficient use of space to store cookware into a cabinet. Many times cookware has various-sized handles and therefore may not be suitable for stacking or placement in a cabinet without the use of a specialized rack.

One way to address the problem of cookware storage may be the removal of the handle on the cookware and therefore allow for a stacking of the cookware within each other in a more organized manner. For the use of such a system that includes removable handles, a special bracket and handle must be developed that will allow for easy removal but secure attachment of a handle to the cooking vessel. In addition to the advantages of storage within a cabinet, removable handles may also provide additional space in dishwashers and in some cases refrigerators where cookware is placed in a refrigerator after or during the use thereof. It also would be advantageous to have a removable handle system where handles are capable of being used on multiple vessels within a cookware system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a removable handle system for cookware comprising: a spring attachment means mounted upon a cooking vessel; a means to attach the spring attachment means onto the cooking vessel; a pin extending from the spring attachment means; a removable handle, where said removable handle includes an adjoining butt, said adjoining butt capable of firmly engaging with the spring attachment means; and an opening on the adjoining butt to receive the pin. In one exemplary embodiment, the spring attachment means includes sliding tracks, where said sliding tracks provide a means to engage with the adjoining butt.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a cookware vessel that includes a bracket for the attachment of a removable handle.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the insertion of a removable handle onto the attachment bracket according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a system and device that implements removable handles into a cookware system. An attachment device that includes a safety clip and a spring secures the removable handle onto the vessel. The system according to present invention provides an attachment device secured to one side of a cooking vessel that receives the handle and secures the handle during use but allows for the snap removal of the handle at the time the vessel is ready for storage.

A removable handle System 10 for a cooking Vessel 20 is depicted in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. The removable handle System 10 enables the insertion of a handle onto the cooking vessel 20. The attachment means available on the cooking vessel 20 includes a spring-type Attachment 32 that is mounted onto the side of the cooking Vessel 20 by a Screw 34. The spring Attachment 32 provides a slight horizontal movement toward the cooking Vessel 20 for the insertion of a cooking handle. The spring Attachment 32 further includes a safety Pin 36 that locks the handle into place upon the spring Attachment 32.

Each side of the spring Attachment 32 includes sliding tracks 38 where a sliding track is provided on each vertical side of the spring Attachment 32. The vertical sliding tracks 38 secure the handle into place and helps limit rotational or horizontal movement of the handle.

The handles used in the removable handle system of the present invention include an adjoining butt attachment on the handle. FIG. 2 clearly depicts an adjoining Butt 17 on a Handle 15. As shown the adjoining Butt 17 inserts into the inside of sliding Tracks 38 of the spring Attachment 32. Once the adjoining Butt 17 is inserted into the sliding Tracks 38 the safety Pin 36 locks into an Opening 19 within the adjoining butt. The horizontal spring action of the spring Attachment 32 allows for the safety pin to move horizontally toward the vessel as the adjoining Butt 17 is inserted within the sliding tracks. Once the Pin 36 meets with the Opening 19 on the adjoining Butt 17, the safety Pin 36 slides into the Opening 19 and locks the handle into place. Once the Handle 15 is locked into place the user may use the cooking vessel 20 as any other conventional cooking vessel with a permanently attached handle. After the cooking vessel 20 has been used, the handle 15 may be removed by moving the spring Attachment 32 horizontally to release the safety Pin 36 and therefore detach the Handle 15 from the spring Attachment 32. FIG. 2B depicts a front view looking toward the adjoining Butt 17. As shown the Opening 19 is provided to receive safety Pin 36 when the handle is attached to the spring Attachment 32.

The removable handle System 10 according to the present invention provides a convenient coupling system that includes a spring attachment-latching bracket attached to the cooking vessel. The safety Pin 36 secures the handle onto the spring Attachment 32 and insures that the handle remains in place during use. The spring Attachment 32 may be depressed to release the safety Pin 36 and allow for the removal of the handle as desired. The removable handle according to the present invention may be used on multiple cooking vessels and therefore one handle may be used for multiple vessels or multiple handles may be also used on multiple vessels to provide various configurations of use. The removal of the handle insures that the multiple pots, pans, skillets and other cookware may be stored in an organized manner and insures an efficient use of storage space. The instant invention has been shown and described in what it considers to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made there from within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. 

1. A removable handle system for cookware comprising: a. a spring attachment means mounted upon a cooking vessel; b. a means to attach the spring attachment means onto the cooking vessel; c. a pin extending from the spring attachment means; d. a removable handle, where said removable handle includes an adjoining butt, said adjoining butt capable of firmly engaging with the spring attachment means; and e. an opening on the adjoining butt to receive the pin.
 2. The removable handle system according to claim 1, wherein said spring attachment means includes sliding tracks, where said sliding tracks provide a means to engage with the adjoining butt.
 3. The removable handle system according to claim 1, where said spring attachment means includes horizontal movement capability to disengage the pin from the opening.
 4. The removable handle system according to claim 1, where said means to attach spring attachment includes a screw. 